Round 13: Who? What? Where?

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 16: Billy Longer of the Saints encourages Nick Riewoldt of the Saints before the team runs out during the 2017 AFL round 13 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the St Kilda Saints at Etihad Stadium on June 16, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media)

Emerging St Kilda star Jack Billings suspects the Saints’ disappointing run of results was because rivals had started to work them out.

St Kilda was 5-3 after eight rounds when three consecutive heavy losses saw them plummet to 12th before Friday night’s bounce back against North Melbourne.

The quality of the opposition in those defeats — Sydney, Western Bulldogs and Adelaide — was high, but it was the manner of the defeats and the lack of scoring that raised alarm bells.

Billings, speaking after a comprehensive win over the Kangaroos, said he and his teammates knew what had to be done.

Saints claim forgettable four pointsThe Age, Daniel ChernyJune 16

What would Josh Kelly have seen if he settled down on his couch to watch this game on a rare weekend off? He would have seen St Kilda's Jack Lonie play for a free kick, fool the nearby umpire, then waste a gilt-edged chance to capitalise.

He would have seen North's Shaun Higgins – normally full of class – miss a regulation set shot, then moments later send a kick straight down the throat of Saint Blake Acres.

He would have seen a string of errant kicks, stray handballs, and fumbles. He would have seen clanger contagion. And all that was in the second quarter alone.

What he would not have seen was much to suggest that North, or the Saints, two clubs strongly linked to the star midfielder, will provide him with anywhere near the opportunities for silverware he will have if he remains at Greater Western Sydney.

St Kilda has regained its aggressive edge and maintained touch with the top eight with a 17-point win against North Melbourne.

Saints’ coach Alan Richardson said the victory was a strong response to three straight losses which put had put the club’s finals credentials under the spotlight.

The Saints led by 42 points early in the last quarter and were on track to record a percentage-boosting win before a last-quarter fightback from the Roos.

Richardson also praised the form of veterans Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna as they fight to earn new contracts for a potential premiership push next season and the toughness of new captain Jarryn Geary in defence.